Mir Arif
The recent earthquake that struck parts of the state comes up with a warning over the safety of educational institutions.
Risking the lives of hundreds of students, schools are being run in unsafe buildings in Rafiabad of North Kashmir’s Baramulla District. The deplorable condition of the buildings has clearly being overlooked by the authorities.
Following 7.5 magnitude earthquake, this Kashmir Scenario Reporter visited Govt High School Chatoosa Rafiabad. It is run in a two story building which is in ruins.
The bricks are exposed with wide cracks as doors and windows are broken. Some part of mud walls have fallen.
For decades the building has not been renovated and the school has been running from the building since 1969. As per locals, the roll of the school has declined drastically due to horrific threat of building collapse. There are nearly 14 teachers in the school.
“The whole locality of Chatoosa Rafiabad is concerned about children studying in this school. The building can collapse anytime,” locals of the area said.
They said, Kashmir being an earthquake zone, the chances of building collapse are more.
“Kashmir is hit by earthquakes every other day. When our concrete houses are not safe, how can these old and shabby buildings be?”
Local residents added that no authority ever pays any visit to the school.
When Kashmir was hit by earthquake in 2005 the students of the school had a narrow escape. Students at the school said they live under persistent threat while attending the school. The safety issue has also forced many students to leave the school.
“We appeal Minister for Education Naieem Akhter to kindly intervene into the matter so that no untoward incident may occur in future due to collapse of this building” told locals and Headmaster of the school.
When contacted Minister for Education Akhtar assured speedy action into the issue. The state government is repeatedly assuring shifting of these schools to safe places but no results can be found.